Technical Conference on Flexible and Local Resources Needed for Reliability in the California Wholesale Electric Market

"Unfortunately I am unable to attend today’s technical conference. I appreciate the efforts of the many entities that helped make this conference possible, including staff from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Independent System Operator, market participants and interest groups.
During my seven years as a Commissioner at the FERC we have spent a significant amount of time and effort to improve the California market, from the MRTU order in September 2006 to recent orders that range from market operation to effective enforcement of market rules.

"California faces a daunting challenge in assuring resource adequacy in a particularly challenging time while simultaneously promoting state priorities of increased renewable resources and energy efficiency while limiting carbon emissions.

"I know that FERC has worked hard to respect and facilitate California state policies and priorities through a series of orders over the last several years.

"I am hopeful that today’s discussions lead to market based solutions that can address short-term, and medium-term and long-term needs.

"I stand ready as a member of FERC to assist the state in reasonable proposals to address resource adequacy issues. But because decisions affecting the California market not only affect its citizens—but due to its interstate connections also affect the rest of the West’s economy—it is crucial that solutions are proposed, considered, and implemented in a somewhat urgent timeframe.

"As someone who has lived in California and continues to have close ties to the state I will be interested in hearing detailed observations on what I trust will be a successful technical conference."